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Great topic!
I think a huge part of the 'bipolar journey' is differentiating between what is the 'bipolar' and what is not. Most people, by virtue of being human, have other issues as well. And especially how we act in relationships (and I think especially close and/or intimate ones) is affected by soooo many things, that unless you're in a full blown episode, it's likely that there are other things at play (or at least in addition). If our significant other is angry or disappointed in us because of something we did, said, didn't do, etc., it's relatively 'easy' to blame it on the bipolar. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't... But I think these things at least merit a second look and it's worth it not to jump to that conclusion, if that's the temptation.
As I've said before, just because someone has bipolar disorder, doesn't mean they don't have *all kinds* of other 'moods' that have nothing to do with it: so you can be down, angry, irritated, happy, tired, energetic, etc. and not be in an 'episode.' The good news about parsing this out is that we likely have more control over these 'non-bipolar' moods and can even learn from them (and the related behaviors); the 'bad news' is that we can't blame them on...the bipolar disorder (especially if it involves something we feel ashamed of).
One thing to keep in mind is that most people aren't constantly cycling, which means that likely much of the time we're out there in the same 'world' as everyone else. With the same triumphs and tragedies of others, the same challenges, the same responsibilities, the same learning curve as far as coping with what life throws us.
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